Gareth Ainsworth reveals text from ex-Sunderland boss helped relieve pressure ahead of Wycombe play-off victory

The Chairboys, who finished below Sunderland but leapfrogged above them into a play-off place on points-per-game, secured promotion after a close-fought 2-1 victory over Oxford in the League One play-off final at Wembley.

A deflected Anthony Stewart header gave Wycombe an early lead but the U's fought back in the second half, with Mark Sykes' looping cross-shot levelling.

Wanderers retook the lead in the 79th minute, after Oxford goalkeeper Simon Eastwood brought down Fred Onyedinma and Joe Jacobson stepped up to seal promotion.

Speaking to EFL on Quest Ainsworth – a previous contender for the Sunderland job when Jack Ross was sacked - said: “Don’t even ask me to put my emotions into words because I can’t.

"Five years ago here, we lost on penalties and that has buried the demons.

"This is my third time here, once before as a manager and once as a player, this is the third time and it’s third time lucky thank goodness for that.”

And the Wycombe boss revealed details of a text message from former Sunderland and Wycombe manager Martin O’Neill in the build-up to the game.

He added: “I didn’t want to say anything because it may have railroaded the press but O’Neill text me yesterday, congratulating us on our achievement and wishing all the best, and when someone like that, texts you that, it means so much, and took the pressure off me.”

O’Neill has heaped praise on the job done by Ainsworth, adding: “I’m taken aback by it, he’s been absolutely amazing. He’s been there seven years and I was there five.

"I had the privilege of taking them into the Football League and he has excelled and taken them into the Championship with a budget that you may not even get as a non-league team.

"He’s a fantastic young manager, there’s some resemblances with the squad that I had and what he has there, those players will absolutely die for him, and it’s the best achievement in Wycombe’s history.”